The Wenger Support Network Typology identifies five types of support networks established through the responses to eight questions on the availability of local kin, frequency of face-to-face interaction with family, friends and neighbours, and community integration (Wenger 1991).
Their responses will also enable us to establish the importance of these factors (and levels) and their interactions with patient-related characteristics (age, gender, level of education and income, the availability of social support networks, non-English-speaking background, general health status and experience with cancer).
Although the availability of social support networks might offer relief in the burden of care often carried by the CCW, the vulnerability of these social support networks cannot be overlooked.
Our objective was to analyse and compare the following among prisoners and LTU trying to return to employment: 1) socio-demographic characteristics; 2) mental health; 3) perceived importance of employment; and 4) availability of a support network, self-esteem, and empowerment.
It was evident that the availability of informal social support networks was inconsistent, meaning that friends and family members were not consistently available, either time-wise or geographically, to provide support.
Results of the study revealed positive correlations between extraversion and perceived availability of support (Belonging and Tangible), enacted support (Directive Guidance, Nondirective Support, Positive Social Interaction, Tangible Assistance), and social network characteristics (network size and contact with network members).
While organizational characteristics are important, our study has shown how network environments also play a role in shaping the way organizations see the availability of support for their programs and activities.
We will survey migrant workers in the ports, whose networks extend to the boats, to monitor their perceptions of the scale of the problem and the availability of support services.
The importance of the availability of a social support network in HBC provision forms a gap in the current research.
